What is scapegoating?

Scapegoating refers to the practice of unfairly placing blame on a particular group or individual as a way of deflecting responsibility from the actual issue or problem. This concept is often seen in social and psychological contexts where a person or group is made to bear the burden of blame for negative outcomes, even if they are not the root cause of those issues.

By identifying a convenient target, individuals or groups can create a false sense of resolution or understanding of complex situations, allowing them to avoid confronting the real causes of their problems. This behavior can arise in various settings, including workplaces, communities, and broader societal issues, often resulting in stigmatization and division.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the definition of scapegoating. Assigning praise does not involve blame, providing fair criticism highlights accountability and constructive feedback, and encouraging community support fosters unity rather than targeting specific groups to bear blame. Thus, the correct understanding of scapegoating focuses specifically on the notion of unfairly blaming a group during challenging times.